Nascar – Anthony Gandon: “I gave everything”

At the end of two Nationwide races, Anthony Gandon has many reasons for satisfaction. First Frenchman since Claude Ballot-Léna and the year 1979 evolved in one of the three main divisions of the Nascar in the United States, the Bayonnais had two enriching experiences, first at Watkins Glen last weekend, then this weekend in Mid-Ohio. After free practice and qualifying which took place, this time, without a hitch, the French driver was able to face the 200 miles (320 km) and 3 hours of racing on the program in the best possible condition. Qualified 34th, the strategy put in place was firstly to avoid the pitfalls of a race that the entire paddock predicted would be "very hot", then to increase the pace to enter the top 20.

Qualified in 34th position, the Frenchman initially managed to avoid the pitfalls of the first round to gradually move up to around 1th place. After refueling and a few restarts, Anthony Gandon will climb to 25st, making his goal of entering the top 21 more and more realistic. But shortly after halfway, the behavior of his No. 20 Ford Mustang continued to deteriorate. The Frenchman will even be trapped by performing a spin without consequences for his machine. Forced at the end of the race to go through the pits to repair a damaged suspension, the resident of the Nascar Whelen Euro Series lost 22 laps in the process before arriving at the finish line in 3th place.

“It was an incredible race!, rejoiced the Frenchman on arrival. I gave everything ! There is a lot to learn. Fortunately I was well prepared. By competing in the Nascar Whelen Euro Series, I already had all the basics of Nascar and Jérome Galpin was there to help me and spot me. There were also Tony Pereira and Damien Bellocq from my Team TFT as well as my whole family. A big thank you to everyone for this extraordinary adventure! This unique experience will help me for the end of the season and try to win the title in the Open division and enter the top 5 in Elite. We are also already working on next year with a Nascar program in Europe and the United States? »

After Ander Vilarino at Daytona and Anthony Gandon, a third driver from the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series will line up at the start of a Nascar series in the United States: Fred Gabillon will compete in a K&N Pro Series race at the start of the school year.